The strategy: A two-day meeting of students, religious leaders, activists and politicians to discuss how that can be done.

"Montgomery County's Promise: The Alliance for Youth Volunteer Summit," an outgrowth of this year's volunteerism summit in Philadelphia, will take place Friday and Saturday at the Fort Washington Expo Center.

U.S. Rep. Jon D. Fox, R-13th District, who suggested the event, has recruited speakers such as former U.S. Sen. Harris Wofford and the Montgomery County Commissioners.

But the heart of the event will be the simple act of high school students and community leaders talking about problems in their neighborhoods and how they might be solved.

Gerhard said no one is expecting any quick fixes. "We just want people to leave (the summit) motivated," she said.

Gerhard said the roughly 200 participating students were chosen by their individual schools. The schools were told not to send only those on honor rolls, she said. The students will be joined by an equal number of adult participants, Gerhard said.

In addition to discussion groups and lectures, there will be 100 booths set up by organizations looking for volunteers, Gerhard said, adding that the public is welcome to attend and observe.

The summit will run from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Wofford is scheduled to speak after 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

The Fort Washington Expo Center is located off Route 309 in Fort Washington, near Interchange 26 of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

Gerhard said it is still not too late to get involved as a delegate or in some other way. For more information, call Montgomery County's Promise office at (610) 275-4460.